Cigarette holder



June 14, 1938. J. LYKOS ET AL CIGARETTE HOLDER Filed June 18, 1937 4 TTOR VEYS Patented June 14, 1938 e AT ear OFFICE CIGARETTE. HOLDER John Lykos," Stockdale, and Oliver. H. Beaumont,

: North. Belle Vernon, Pa.

Application June 18, 1937, Serial No. 148,914

6 Claims.

Our invention relates toucigarette holders,.and more particularly to a cigarette holder of the type that includes a. perforate cage for inclosing the cigarette being smoked.

The structureof the invention consists in: a tubular stem assembled in axial alignment with a cage. The stem in a knownway includes at one end a seat adapted to receive .and snugly engage the end of a cigarette, while at its opposite end it is provided, or formed, with a bit adapted to be held between the teeth ofthe smoker. The cage comprises a continuation of the seat, and forms a perforate housing for 'the cigarette, whereby sparks and ashes are prevented from escaping when the device is in use. We are aware that others before us have proposed such cages for cigarette holders, particularly cages consisting in perforated, cylindrical shells provided with linings of fine-mesh wire screen. And it has been proposed to make the cage linings interchangeable, whereby they may be replaced when in service they become fouled with the combustion products of tobacco. Having availed ourselves of this knowledge, we have perfected a cigarette holder, in which the cage comprises a perforate shell formed ,in two. semi-cylindrical sections, and .in which the screen lining, advantageously comprises two substantially semi-cylindrical sections that are marginally secured in the shells. The semi-cylindrical liners are readily removable from the shell portions, and the structure as a whole is one which affords economy in manufacture and facility in use. The invention embraces other specific details of structure which will appear in the ensuing specification.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. I is a view in side elevation of a cigarette holder embodying the invention, the cage portion of the holder being shown in open position. Fig. II is a fragmentary view, showing in axial section and to larger scale, on the plane II-II of Fig. I, the medial body portion of the structure; Fig. III is a view to still larger scale, showing the structure in cross-section, on the plane III--III of Fig. II; Fig. IV is an exploded view, showing in perspective particular elements of the assembled device; Fig. V is a cross-sectional view of the device, on the plane III; and Fig. VI is a perspective view on the scale of Fig. II, showing fragmentarily one of the semicylindrioal shell sections of the holder and a liner section in course of assembly therewith.

Referring to the drawing, the cigarette holder consists in a tubular stern l assembledin axial alignment with a cage, 2. The cage 2 is formed of two semi-cylindrical Ishells 3 and 4, including each a liner 5 of fine-mesh wire screen. In this case the stem 1 is formed of molded bakelite or the like, the shells 3 and 4 of pressed or molded metal, such as steel or aluminum,

V--V of Fig. II, and to the scale of Fig.

and the liners 5 of copper screen, 20 meshes to theinch. The two shells 3 and tin assembly meetedge-to-edge in adiametrical plane; they are hinged, as at 6, 6, for angular. movement about their meeting edges .on one side, while the opposite meeting;

edges are severally provided with the. complementary parts I, l of acatch or fastener of known sort. The walls of the shells are perforate; 'in this case the perforations comprise asuccession of diagonal, circumferentially extending slots 8. ,A cylindrical sleeve 9 is integrally formed with the inner end of the shell 3, and assembly of the cage 2 withthe stem l is effected by the tight engagement of the sleeve 9 with a cylindrical portion Jlil on'the fore end of the stem, as shown in: Fig. II.

Within the sleeve portion 9 of the assembled structure a conical seat l l is provided, to receive in snug engagement one end of the cigarette (C, Fig. I) to .be smoked. In inserting a cigarette, the cage shells 3 and A are swung into the open position shown in Fig. I, and, when the cigarette has been properly seated in the holder, the cage shells are closed, forming a screen-lined perforate housing overthe cigarette. As shown in Fig.1, the cage shell 4 carries integrally at its outer end a hemispherical end wall I 2 that includes slots it for the inward passage of air. Thus, when the shell sections 3 and 4 of the cage are closed, the cigarette is entirely confined-air may readily enter the structure for the combustion of the cigarette, while sparks and ashes are prevented from escaping.

In accordance with our invention, the screen liners 5 are formed in substantially semi-cylindrical sections, and, advantageously, although not necessarily, the opposite, longitudinal edges of the screen sections are folded and pressed, to provide beads M, as indicated in Fig. VI. In the cage shells 3 and 4, we provide grooves adapted to receive and secure the beaded edges of the screen sections, and advantageously such grooves are provided immediately within or adjacent to the meeting edges of the shells. Specifically, the body of each shell 3 and 4 is continued inward from its opposite edges in the form of channels l5 that extend with the edges-in this case in uninterrupted continuity--from one end of the shell to the other. By means of such channels the-screen liners are firmly secured in the shells or cage sections 3 and 4, while being readily removable therefrom for replacement. As shown in Fig. I, the. ends of the channels are open and accessible at the inner end of the cage section 4, while in the case of cage section 3 the open ends of the channels are accessible at the outer end of the structure. In assembling a screen liner, the ends of the headed edges M of the liner are inserted in the open ends of the channels [5, as shown in Fig. VI, and the liner is slid into place within the cage section. Manifestly, the liners may be readily replaced, as in service with nicotine.

It is important to note that the screen liners 5 are not of true semi-cylindrical shape as assembled in the cage sections. That is to say, the liners 5 are so shaped in cross-section that, while being engaged by the channels H5 at the edges of the cage sections, they do not snugly engage the inner surfaces of the cage sections. The

they become fouled liners lie at an interval 28 from inner surfaces of p the cage sections, as appears in Figs. 11 and V. By virtue of this structural characteristic, there is less tendency for the meshes of the screen to become fouled and clogged in service, and a more uniform infiltration of air is obtained at all points in the double wall of the cage.

It will be perceived that in our organization the screen lining members 5 move with the cage or shell sections, when the cage is opened and closed, whereby the operation of the cage, in inserting a cigarette or removing a butt, is relatively simple.

The invention embodies particular refinements in the seat structure of the holder. More specifically, we provide a funnel-shaped device [6 hav ing a cylindrical portion I"! and a bell portion I8. The portion I! is secured tightly in a seat provided therefor in the portion ID of the stem, and in such assembly the bell 18, whose mouth peripherally engages the inner surface of the sleeve portion 9 of the cage (Figs. II and III), provides the essential conical seat H to receive the end of a cigarette to be consumed. As appears in Fig. IV, the bell portion I8 is of interrupted continuity in its circumference, as at l 9; in this interruption we organize a section 2| that carries a portion 22 extending radially inward or transversely of the seat H. The wall of the outer cylindrical portion 9 includes an axially extending slot 23 (Fig. II); a thumb-button 25 is assembled upon the outer face of the cylindrical portion 9 and covers the slot 23; and the shank of a screw or rivet 24 extends through the slot and serves rigidly to integrate the thumb-button with the section 2|. The assembled parts 23 and 2|, 22 are adapted to slide as a unit axially of the seat ll, through a range determined by the length of the slot 23, and a tension spring 25 is arranged normally to hold such assembled parts at one end of their range of movement. It will be noted that the section 2! includes a surface 2m formed to the curvature of the inner conical face of the bell l8, and that in the normal positions of the parts (Fig. II), the surface 2 la completes the continuity of the inner face of the bell. That is, the section 2| completes the otherwise interrupted continuity of the conical seat II, whereby the tip of a cigarette may be snugly engaged in the seat, in such manner that the full draft or suction produced by the smoker is elfective upon the lit end of the cigarette.

When the cigarette is consumed, the cage 2 is opened, and, under thumb pressure on the button 26, the device 2E, 22 is shifted against spring tension into the dotted line position shown in Fig. II. In the course of such motion, the butt of the consumed cigarette is dislodged from the seat I! and removed. Upon relief of thumb pressure, the spring 25 restores the parts 23 and 2!, 22 to normal positions, and the device is ready to receive another cigarette. The ejector and seat construction we have provided is of particular value.

It is economical to manufacture, easy to assemble, and efficient and durable in service.

We claim as our invention:

1. A cigarette holder including a tubular stem, a seat adapted to receive the end of a cigarette, and a cage extending from the stem for enclosing such cigarette; said cage comprising two perforate, semicylindrical shells assembled for movement between alternate relative positions, and a substantially semicylindrical liner of fine-mesh wire screen for each shell, the opposite edges of said shells being provided with grooves adapted to receive the opposite edges of said liners and secure the liners in assembly with said shells, the engagement of said edges with the grooves permitting ready removability of the liners.

2. A cigarette holder including a tubular stem, a seat adapted to receive the end of a cigarette, and a cage extending from the stem for enclosing such cigarette; said cage comprising two perforate, semicylindrical shells assembled for movement between alternate relative positions, and a substantially semicylindrical liner of fine-mesh wire screen for each shell, the opposite edges of said shells being provided with grooves adapted to receive the opposite edges of said liners and secure the liners in assembly with said shells, with the bodies of the liners curved on greater radius than the shells and spaced an interval from the perforate walls of said shells, the engagement of said edges with the grooves permitting ready removability of the liners.

3. A cigarette holder including a tubular stem, a seat adapted to receive the end of a cigarette, and a cage extending from the stem for enclosing such cigarette; said cage comprising two perforate, semicylindrical shells assembled for movement between alternate relative positions, and a substantially semicylindrical liner of fine-mesh wire screen for each shell, each of said shells including channels extending longitudinally of and adjacent to its opposite edges, said channels engaging the opposite edges of said semicylindrical liners for securing the liners in assembly with the shells, and the engagement of the edges of the liners in said channels admitting of the removal and assembly of the liners in axial direction with respect to the shells.

4. The structure of claim 3, in which the opposite edges of said semicylindrical liners of the cage are provided with beads for engagement with said channels.

5. A cigarette holder including a tubular stem, a screen-lined cage, and a seat adapted to receive in snug engagement the end'of a cigarette, the Wall of said seat including a sliding section forming a part of said seat, said sliding section carrying a butt ejector and movable axially of the seat for shifting said ejector.

6. A cigarette holder embodying a funnelshaped seat adapted to receive the end of a cigarette, the continuity of said seat being interrupted, and a member including a contoured. surface which, with such member assembled in said interruption, lies flush with the funnelshaped surface of said seat and completes the continuity of the seat, said member being mova'ble longitudinally of the holder, substantially as described.

JOHN LYKOS. OLIVER. I-I. BEAUMONT. 

